Rayleigh · Essex

Part single, part two-storey extensions in Rayleigh

A part single, part two-storey extension is one of the most space-efficient ways to add bedrooms and living space to a house in Rayleigh, because the new floors share one set of foundations and one roof.

Quick reference for homeowners in Rayleigh.

Postcode districts
SS5 and SS6
County / area
Essex, England
Price region
East of England
Guide price
£74,000–£102,000 (£2,060–£2,830 per m²)
Approval route
It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall (counting any single-storey part) and stays 7 m from the rear boundary; otherwise it needs planning permission.
Nearest towns
Hadleigh (2.3 miles), South Benfleet (3 miles), Wickford (3.9 miles)
Distance to Southend-on-Sea
about 5.8 miles
First visit
Free, no obligation

About a part single, part two-storey extension

A part single, part two-storey extension suits you if you want a generous ground floor but only need one extra room upstairs, or if a full two-storey design would affect a neighbour too much. You get design options that test where the two-storey part works best, the approvals your nation needs, structural design, building regulations approval and the build, carried out by vetted teams working under S&K.

Around Rayleigh we also work in Hadleigh, South Benfleet and Wickford, and across the rest of Essex. Postcode districts in and near Rayleigh: SS5 and SS6.

What it costs in Rayleigh

Expect a part single, part two-storey extension in Rayleigh to land somewhere around £74,000–£102,000 for a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total). Our East of England guide rate is £2,060–£2,830 per m², including VAT. We'll give you a written design-stage price first, then a fixed build price once the drawings are agreed.

SpecPer m²A 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total)
Essential£1,900–£2,610 per m²£68,000–£94,000
Standard£2,060–£2,830 per m²£74,000–£102,000
Premium£2,470–£3,400 per m²£89,000–£122,500

Planning and building regulations in Rayleigh

In England, the extension can only be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall and stays at least 7 m from the rear boundary, with matching materials and roof pitch. We check the whole design against the rules, including the 50% garden coverage limit. If any part fails, or extends beyond a side wall on two floors, you need planning permission, costing £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026).

Approval in England: Householder planning application: £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026). Lawful development certificate: £274 (about £288 for applications from 8 December 2026). Councils should decide householder applications within 8 weeks of validation.

Building regulations: Building regulations approval (full plans recommended) from the council or a registered building control approver, with a completion certificate at the end.

Design points for Rayleigh homes

Where to put the two-storey part

The two-storey section usually works best away from the closest neighbour, with the single-storey part on that boundary side. We test a few positions against neighbours' windows, the upstairs layout and the roof shape before choosing the one to take forward.

The roof junction

Where the single-storey roof meets the two-storey wall you need a sound weathering detail, usually a lead or similar flashing, and enough height for roof lights or a lantern. We set the roof falls and the upstairs window sill heights together so they do not clash.

How we'd run your project

  1. Start at your house

    We come to your home in Rayleigh, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.

  2. Plans, then approval

    Measured survey, design, then the right approval route for your house. We explain each step before we take it.

  3. Fixed price in writing

    With approved drawings and calculations, we give you a fixed build price and a programme you can plan around.

  4. Finish and certify

    Second fix, plastering and making good, then building control's final inspection and the completion paperwork.

Questions about part single, part two-storey extensions in Rayleigh

Who handles building regulations for a project in Rayleigh?

We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in England: building regulations approval (full plans recommended) from the council or a registered building control approver, with a completion certificate at the end. We prepare the drawings and the engineer's calculations, book the inspections and pass you the completion paperwork at the end.

How much does a part single, part two-storey extension cost in Rayleigh?

Our guide for the East of England, which covers Rayleigh, is £2,060–£2,830 per m² including VAT. A typical project with a 6 m × 4 m ground floor and a first floor over half of it (36 m² in total) comes to about £74,000–£102,000. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.

Do I need planning permission for a part single, part two-storey extension in Rayleigh?

Rayleigh is in England, so England planning rules apply. It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall (counting any single-storey part) and stays 7 m from the rear boundary; otherwise it needs planning permission. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.

Can I add roof lights to the single-storey part?

Yes. Roof lights or a lantern over the single-storey part are one of the main reasons to choose this design, as they light the middle of a deep kitchen. In England they count towards the Part L glazing allowance, normally 25% of the new floor area plus windows removed, so we balance them with the rear doors.

Can the single-storey part be deeper than the two-storey part?

With planning permission, yes, and that is often the point of the design: the ground floor projects further into the garden while the first floor stays back from neighbours. Under permitted development, the depth limits for extensions of more than one storey can apply to the whole extension, so we confirm which route applies before drawings are finalised.

Nearby

Other towns near Rayleigh:

Other extensions in Rayleigh

All two-storey extension services in Rayleigh · Part single, part two-storey extensions across Essex

Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.

CallGuide price